Process for degradation of keratin, keratinaceous material, collagen and collagenaceous material with enzyme material, cell-free culture or cell culture from micrococcus sedentarius

ABSTRACT

A process for the degradation of keratin, keratinaceous material, collagen or collagenaceous material comprising contacting keratin, keratinaceous material, collagen or collagenaceous material with an enzyme material isolated from a culture of Micrococcus sedentarius. The enzyme material comprises one or more proteases having the ability to degrade keratin, keratinaceous material, collagen or collagenaceous material. The enzyme material is water soluble, non-dialysable through a membrane having a molecular weight cut-off of 10 kDa, has an isoelectric point of 4.6 or 2.7, a molecular weight of 30.3 kDa or 50 kDa, an optimum pH for protease activity at about 8.2 or at about 10.2 and an optimum temperature for protease activity at about 40° C. or 46° C.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This is a continuation-in-part of application Ser. No. 07/705,090, filed May 24, 1991, now U.S. Pat. No. 5,213,978.

The present invention relates to the micro-organism Micrococcus sedentarius, proteases, their production from Micrococcus sedentarius and uses thereof.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Enzymes which digest proteins are widely distributed in nature. Both intracellular and extracellular proteases exist in a wide variety of organisms. Extracellular proteases are produced by micro-organisms to enable them to convert proteinaceous material to low molecular weight peptides for transport into the cell, to satisfy either carbon and energy requirements and/or nitrogen requirements for growth. Bacteria, fungi and yeasts are know to produce different proteases, both intracellular and extracellular, whose biochemical characteristics and properties have been described; see e.g. The Enzymes, Ed. Paul D. Boyer Vol. III "Hydrolysis--peptide bonds". 3rd Edition 1971.

We have now found it possible to produce extracellular proteases from M. sedentarius which are capable of solubilizing human callus material and degrading other proteinaceous material.

According to one aspect of the present invention there are provided enzyme materials isolated from a culture of M. sedentarius which comprises one or more proteases having an ability to degrade protein including human callus.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided an enzyme material having the following characteristics:

water-soluble,

non-dialysable (through a membrane having a molecular weight cut-off of 10 kDa),

an isoelectric point of 4.6,

a molecular weight of 30.3 kDa,

an optimum pH for protease activity at about 8.2,

and

an optimum temperature at about 40° C.

The enzyme material which may be obtained from M. sedentarius, has been found to have at 35° C., protease activity in the pH range of about 5.1--about 10.9, and human callus degrading activity at 40° C. in the pH range of about 5.9--about 8.0. The enzyme material has been found to have an optimum pH for human callus degrading activity at about 7.1 and an optimum temperature at about 40° C.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided an enzyme material having the following characteristics:

water-soluble,

non-dialysable (through a membrane having a molecular weight

cut-off of 10 kDa),

an isoelectric point of 2.7,

a molecular weight of 50 kDa;

an optimum pH for protease activity at about pH 10.2,

and

an optimum temperature at about 46° C.

This enzyme material, which also may be obtained from M. sedentarius has been found to have at 35° C., protease activity in the pH range of about 5.1--about 11.3, and human callus degrading activity at 50° C. in the range of about 4.3--about 10.0. The enzyme material has been found to have an optimum pH for callus degrading of about 7.5 and an optimum temperature at about 50° C.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a process for the preparation of enzyme materials of the present invention comprising isolating the enzyme materials from a culture of M. sedentarius.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a cell-free culture of M. sedentarius which exhibits protease activity.

In all the above aspects, it is preferred to employ the novel strain of M. sedentarius (NCIMB No. 40287) described below.

According to other aspects of the present invention there are provided processes for degrading human callus or corns comprising the application of an enzyme material or cell-free culture of the present invention to human callus or corns.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a process for degrading protein comprising the application of an enzyme material or cell-free culture of the present invention to protein.

According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided a process for the preparation of degradation product from proteinaceous material comprising the application of an enzyme material of the present invention to proteinaceous material.

According to a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a strain of M. sedentarius deposited under The Budapest Treaty at the National Collections of Industrial and Marine Bacteria on May 24, 1990 under the accession number NCIMB 40287.

Preferably, in a protein degradation or digestion process of the present invention the pure enzyme material, a formulation thereof, or a cell-free culture of M. sedentarius is applied to the material to be treated.

In one preferred embodiment the enzyme materials of the present invention are isolated from the strain M. sedentarius NCIMB 40287.

The enzyme materials of the second and third aspects of the present invention are hereinafter referred to as Protease 1 and Protease 2; these proteases having been obtained by culturing M. sedentarius NCIMB 40287.

Other strains of M. sedentarius will produce proteases which are similar to Protease 1 and 2, insofar as their biological activities are concerned. Such other proteases are intended to be within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Various preferred features and embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of non-limiting example and with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIGS. 1 and 2 show the effect of pH on protease activity by Protease 1 and Protease 2 respectively;

FIG. 3 shows temperature optimum curves for Proteases 1 and 2;

FIGS. 4 and 5 show the effect of temperature on callus degradation by Protease 1 and Protease 2 respectively;

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the effect of pH on callus degradation by Protease 1 and Protease 2 respectively;

FIG. 8 shows the effect of calcium chloride on the stability of Protease 2;

FIGS. 9 and 10 show the pH stability of Protease 1 and Protease 2 respectively at 4° C.

FIGS. 11 and 12 show the pH stability of Protease 1 and Protease 2 respectively at ambient temperature;

FIG. 13 shows the effect of NaCl on the callus degrading activities of Proteases 1 and 2;

FIGS. 14 and 15 show the effect of ionic strength and ionic species on the callus degrading activity of Proteases 1 and 2 respectively;

FIGS. 16 and 17 show the effect of MgCl₂ on the callus degrading activity of Proteases 1 and 2 respectively;

FIG. 18a shows the degradation of keratin by Protease 1 and crude Amicon retentate;

FIG. 18b shows the degradation of keratin by doubling dilutions of Protease 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The micro-organism M. sedentarius NCIMB 40287.

The micro-organism used for the production of Proteases 1 and 2 was isolated from the foot skin of an adult human. In particular, the strain M. sedentarius NCIMB 40287 was isolated from the foot skin of an adult human and was identified according to Kloos et al. (1) and Schleifer et al. (4). A culture of the organism has been deposited as indicated above Micrococcus sedentarius M17C was deposited with the International Depository Authority NCIMB Limited, 23 street, Machar Drive, Aberdeen AB21RY, on May 29, 1990 and has been designated NCIMB 40287. The microorganism was deposited under the conditions of the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purpose of Patent Procedure. All restrictions on the availability to the public of the material so deposited will be irrevocably removed upon the granting of a patent. Deposits will be maintained for a period of 30 years from the date of the deposit or 5 years after the last request for the material, whichever is longer. In addition to the specific micro-organism described and characterised herein, it should be understood that other strains of the micro-organism can also be cultivated to produce the product and all such strains are intended to be within the scope of the invention.

The following culture media may be used for growing the micro-organism: heated horse blood agar and, for fluid culture, a medium comprising 1% (w/v) Bacteriological Peptone, 1% (w/v) Yeast Extract and 0.5% (w/v) NaCl (BPYE). Storage may be effected either in 40% (v/v) glycerol-PBS (Phosphate Buffered Saline) at -20° C., or by freeze-drying. Colonies of M. sedentarius NCIMB 40287 appear wrinkled, buff and proteolytic on heated blood agar.

The following characteristics have been found:

    ______________________________________                                                               Gram positive cocci in                                   Microscopy            tetrads, non-motile.                                     ______________________________________                                         Growth under anaerobic conditions                                                                      -                                                      Catalase                +                                                      Oxidase                 -                                                      Exopigment production   +     brown                                            Growth on Simmons citrate agar                                                                         -                                                      Growth on inorganic N agar                                                                             -                                                      Growth on 7.5% NaCl agar                                                                               +                                                      Nitrate reduction       -                                                      Acetoin production      -                                                      β-galactosidase production                                                                        -                                                      Acid from glucose       -                                                      Acid from glycerol      -                                                      Acid from mannose       -                                                      Aesculin hydrolysis     -                                                      Growth at 37° C. +                                                      Arginine hydrolysis     +                                                      Casein hydrolysis       +                                                      Production of methanethiol                                                                             +                                                      from methionine.                                                               ______________________________________                                         Antiobiotic sensitivities by the disc method.                                  Antiobiotic       Disc amount                                                  ______________________________________                                         Penicillin          1     unit   R                                             Erythromycin        10    μg  S                                             Chloramphenicol     10    μg  S                                             Kanamycin           30    μg  S                                             Streptomycin        10    μg  S                                             Novobiocin          5     μg  S                                             Tetracycline        10    μg  S                                             Neomycin            30    μg  S                                             Vanomycin           30    μg  S                                             Methicillin         10    μg  R                                             ______________________________________                                          (R = resistant, S = sensitive)                                           

Growth of M. sedentarius and production of proteases

The production of Proteases 1 and 2 may be effected by cultivating M. sedentarius. As previously mentioned M. sedentarius can be stored in glycerol-PBS or freeze-dried, and can be cultivated using BPYE. Crude supernatant fluid is then produced by centrifuging the culture. The supernatant fluid is then desalted and concentrated.

The following non-limiting examples further illustrate the preparation of Proteases 1 and 2.

EXAMPLE 1

Culturing

Freeze-dried cells on a paper strip were inoculated into 100 ml BPYE having the following composition:

    ______________________________________                                         Bacteriological Peptone (Oxoid L37)                                                                  1% (w/v)                                                 Yeast Extract (Oxoid L21)                                                                            1% (w/v)                                                 NaCl (Sigma)          0.5% (w/v)                                               ______________________________________                                    

The culture was incubated at 37° C. for 48 hrs with orbital shaking (160 rpm). Ten ml of this culture was used to inoculate BPYE+0.05% (v/v) polypropylene glycol 1025 (BDH). This medium was sterilized in 18 liter batches through a 0.2 μm porosity filter under nitrogen pressure into the nutrient reservoir of an LH Engineering 500 Series continuous culture apparatus. The apparatus had a culture working volume of 670 ml, with monitoring and control of pH, oxygen tension and temperature. The culture was stirred by direct at drive at 900 rpm and maintained at pH 8.5±0.1, 35±0.2° C., and 74±4% oxygen tension with respect to air.

Two days after inoculation, the apparatus was switched to continuous mode and the dilution rate was set to 0.25 h⁻¹. After six culture volumes of medium and had been used, a new harvest reservoir was connected, 7.3 liter culture was harvested at room temperature and NaN₃ was added to 0.05% (w/v)

EXAMPLE 2

Production of crude supernatant fluid

Cells were removed from cultures by centrifugation in 250 ml volumes at 5000 g for 10 minutes at 4° C. The supernatant fluids were pooled, pumped into plastic blood-storage bags and stored at -30° C.

EXAMPLE 3

Desalting and concentration of the proteases

The supernatant fluid was desalted and concentrated using a 90 mm PM10 ultrafiltration membrane (10,000 molecular weight cut-off, Amicon) held in an Amicon TCF 10A pumped-flow cell at 4° C. The ultrafiltration was undertaken using 30 psi (206,820 Pa) oxygen-free nitrogen. When the volume above the membrane was 220 ml, 220 ml 0.05% (w/v) NaN₃ was added and again the volume reduced to 220 ml. Further desalting was carried out using continuous flow of 4 liter 0.05% (w/v) NaN₃. The volume of retentate was reduced to 183 ml and 20 ml aliquots were stored at -30° C.

Purification of Proteases 1 and 2

Resolution and purification of the proteases from 15 ml of retentate is effected by column chromatography firstly by ion-exchange, secondly by hydrophobic interaction and finally by affinity. Protease-containing fractions from each chromatographic procedure were stored at -30° C. until required.

The following non-limiting examples further illustrate purification:

EXAMPLE 4

Ion-exchange chromatography

Fifteen ml retentate was mixed with 3.75 ml 50 mM Tris-HCl, 0.25% (w/v) NaN₃ pH 8.0 buffer and applied to a DEAE-Sepharose Fast-Flow anion-exchange column (column dimensions 2.2×50 cm, bed volume 36 ml), pre-equilibrated with starting buffer (10 mM Tris-HCl, 0.5% (w/v) NaN₃ pH 8.0), at a flow rate of 60 ml h⁻¹ (linear flow rate 15.8 cm h⁻¹) at 4° C. After loading, the column was flushed with 20 bed volumes of starting buffer, to elute unbound substances, and 12 ml fractions were collected. No proteolytic activity was detected in these fractions.

Bound substances were then eluted using a 1.6 liter linear gradient of increasing ionic strength, from 0-0.5M NaCl in starting buffer. Fractions (8 ml) were collected and Protease 1 eluted between 70 and 440 ml after the start of the NaCl gradient. Maximum Protease 1 eluted in eight fractions (112-176 ml after the start of the gradient) corresponding to 0.03-0.05M NaCl. A single protein band of 30.3 kDa was observed when 4 μl of each of the eight fractions were analysed by SDS-PAGE and silver staining. Protease 2 eluted between 720 and 912 ml after the start of the NaCl gradient with maximum Protease 2 activity eluting in 13 fractions (736-840 ml after the start of the gradient) corresponding to 0.23-0.25M NaCl. Four μl of each of the 13 fractions showed multiple polypeptide bands, with a major band at 50 kDa, when analysed by SDS-PAGE and silver staining. There was a great reduction in the number of polypetide species compared to that in the retentate. Equal volumes of the 13 fractions were pooled (total volume 92 ml), concentrated 10.3-fold and desalted by 85% using a PM10 ultrafiltration membrane (molecular weight cut-off 10,000; Amicon) using oxygen-free nitrogen at 30 psi, at 4° C., resulting in 8.8 ml semi-pure Protease 2.

EXAMPLE 5

Hydrophobic interaction chromatography

Two ml of semi-pure Protease 2 was applied to a Phenyl-Sepharose CL-4B hydrophobic interaction column (column dimensions 2×15 cm, bed volume 13.7 ml), pre-equilibrated with 1.5M (NH₄)₂ SO₄ in starting buffer (10 mM Tris-HCl, 0.05% (w/v) NaN₃ pH 8.0), at a flow rate of 12 ml h⁻¹ (linear flow rate 6 cm h⁻¹) at 4° C. After loading, the column was flushed with five bed volumes of starting buffer, to elute unbound substances, and 4 ml fractions were collected. No proteolytic activity was detected in these fractions. Bound substances were then eluted using a 274 ml linear gradient of decreasing (NH₄)₂ SO₄ concentration, from 1.5-0M (NH₄)₂ SO₄ in starting buffer, and 4 ml fractions were collected. Protease 2 eluted in seven fractions (232-260 ml after the start of the gradient) with maximum Protease 2 eluting between 244 and 256 ml after the start of the gradient, corresponding to about 0.1M (NH₄)₂ SO₄. A major polypeptide band of 50 kDa was observed when 4 μl volumes of each of the seven fractions were analysed by SDS-PAGE and silver staining. A minor polypeptide band was a slightly higher molecular weight was also observed. Volumes (0.3 ml) of each of the seven fractions were pooled and concentrated to 82 μl using a Centricon 10 Microconcentrator with a 10,000 molecular weight cut-off (Amicon).

EXAMPLE 6

Affinity chromatography

Fifty μl of the concentrated fractions from the hydrophobic interaction column was mixed with 250 μl 5 mM Tris-HCl, 0.5% NaN₃ pH 8.0 buffer, and loaded onto a Benzamidine-Sepharose 6B affinity column (column dimensions 1×15 cm, bed volume 5.8 ml), pre-equilibrated with 5 mM Tris-HCl, 0.05% NaN₃ pH 8.0 starting buffer, at a flow rate of 6 ml h⁻¹ (linear flow rate 7.5 cm h⁻¹) at 4° C. After loading, the sample was allowed to absorb without buffer flow for 30 min and then the column was flushed with 6.7 bed volumes of starting buffer, to elute unbound substances, and fractions (1.5 ml) were collected. No proteolytic activity was detected in these fractions. Bound substances were then eluted using a 29 ml linear gradient of increasing ionic strength, from 0-0.2M NaCl in 75 mM Tris-HCl, 0.05% (w/v) NaN₃ pH 8.0 buffer, and fractions (1.5 ml) were collected.

Protease 2 eluted in four fractions (22.5-28.5 ml after the start of the gradient) corresponding to about 0.18M NaCl. A single polypeptide band, with a molecular weight of 50 kDa was observed when 4 μl of each of the four fractions were analysed by SDS-PAGE and silver staining. The four fractions containing Protease 2 were stored at -30° C.

Properties of Protease 1 and Protease 2

The following methodology was used to determine the activities of the proteases of this invention:

Detection of proteolytic activity

Proteolytic activity was determined in fractions eluted from chromatography columns or in samples applied to isoelectric focusing (IEF) analytical gels using casein as a substrate. For the detection of proteolytic activity in column fractions, the following procedure was used. Hammarsten casein was dissolved, at a concentration of 0.6% (w/v), in 0.15M sodium carbonate/sodium hydrogen carbonate buffer (pH 10.0) by boiling for 2 minutes. Ten ml of the casein solution (at 60° C.) was added to an equal volume of molten (60° C.) 2% (w/v) agarose in the same buffer and poured into the lid of a 8.4×12.7 cm microtitre plate and allowed to set. Wells (2.5 mm diameter) were punched in the agarose and 5 μl of each test fluid (column fraction) was pipetted into the wells. The plates were placed in a moist chamber and incubated at 37° C. After overnight incubation, proteolytic activity was visualised by precipitation of casein in the gel by flooding the plate with 10% (w/v) trichloroacetic acid (TCA). Proteolytic activity was indicated by a zone of clearing around a well against a white background of precipated casein.

Agarose-casein gels containing buffer at pH 10.0 were used for the detection of proteases in IEF gels. Agarose-casein gels were prepared as described above for the detection of proteolytic activity in column fractions. The position of a protease in an IEF gel was determined by carefully laying the loaded and electrofocused IEF gel onto the surface of a casein-agarose gel. After overnight incubation at 37° C., the position of the IEF gel was marked and the IEF gel removed. The casein-agarose plate was flooded with 10% (w/v) TCA and the position of the protease observed as a band of clearing.

Quantitative Method

Additional methods were used for the quantitative assay of protease activity. These methods are hereinafter referred to as--the Quantitative Method.

Quantitative Method--Protease 1

A reaction mixture comprising 1 ml enzyme solution and 1 ml 4% (w/v) azocasein in 150 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 8.5 at room temperature or pH 8.1 at 40° C.) was incubated at 40° C. for 30 mins, 2 ml of trichloroacetic acid (TCA)(10%,w/v) was added to the reaction mixture at time zero and to a duplicate tube after incubation. TCA-precipitated material was removed by filtration through Whatman No. 1 filter paper. 1.5 ml filtrate was added to 0.225 ml NaOH (10M) and the absorbance was determined spectrophotometrically at 440 nm.

Enzyme blanks were included and assays were performed in duplicate.

Quantitative Method--Protease 2

Protease 2 was assayed as described for Protease 1, except 250 mM sodium phosphate buffer (pH 10.75 at room temperature or pH 10.1 at 45° C.) was used and the reaction mixture was incubated at 45° C. for 9 min.

The pHs of the buffers for these assays were adjusted at room temperature.

With the exception of the determination of the optima pH and range of activity of Protease 1 and Protease 2 which used the assay method described on hereinafter, the quantitative methods described above were used subsequently for determination of Protease 1 and Protease 2 activities.

Volumes of enzyme-containing solutions (referred to as "fraction" in Table 1) were assayed for protease activity by the quantitative method and for protein using BCA Protein Assay Reagent (Pierce Chemical Co, Chester, England) according to the manufacturer's instructions.

The quantitative method (protease activity) for Protease 2 was used to assay all fractions except "Ion Exchanged P1" which was assayed using that described for Protease 1.

The results are shown in Table 1. Protease 1 was purified from 7.3 liters of crude culture supernatant fluid with a purification factor and yield of 2.2-fold and 0.3% respectively. Protease 2 was purified from crude supernatant fluid with a purification factor and yield of 28.9-fold and 38.5% respectively. In Table 1 the purification factor is shown in respect of total protease activity from the crude supernatant fluid. respect of total protease activity from the crude supernatant fluid.

                                      TABLE 1                                      __________________________________________________________________________     Purification of M. sedentarius Protease 1 and Protease 2.                                   Protein                                                                              Total    Total Specific                                             Volume                                                                              Conc. Protein                                                                            Activity                                                                            Activity                                                                             Activity                                                                            Yield                                                                              Purification                        Fraction                                                                               (ml) (mg ml.sup.-1)                                                                       (mg)                                                                               (U ml.sup.-1)                                                                       (U)   (μmg.sup.-1)                                                                     %   Factor                              __________________________________________________________________________     Crude   7,300                                                                               4.38  32,003                                                                               265                                                                               1.94 × 10.sup.6                                                                60.5 100.0                                                                              --                                  Supernatant                                                                    Fluid     183                                                                               7.95  1,456                                                                              8,020                                                                               1.46 × 10.sup.6                                                                1,008                                                                               75.8                                                                               16.7                                Crude Amicon                                                                   Retentate                                                                      Ion Exchanged                                                                            842                                                                               0.05    39                                                                                  6 5.24 × 10.sup.3                                                                  135                                                                                0.3                                                                               2.2                                 P1                                                                             Ion Exchanged                                                                          1,110                                                                               0.51    562                                                                              1,008                                                                               1.12 × 10.sup.6                                                                1,991                                                                               57.8                                                                               32.9                                P2                                                                             Concentrated                                                                             107                                                                               4.94    530                                                                              9,825                                                                               1.05 × 10.sup.6                                                                1,988                                                                               54.5                                                                               32.8                                IEX P2                                                                         HIC     1,502                                                                               0.28    416                                                                                605                                                                               9.09 × 10.sup.5                                                                2,184                                                                               47.0                                                                               36.1                                Desalted                                                                               1,502                                                                               0.26    391                                                                                643                                                                               9.66 × 10.sup.5                                                                2,473                                                                               50.0                                                                               40.9                                HIC                                                                            Affinity                                                                               7,041                                                                               0.06    425                                                                                106                                                                               7.42 × 10.sup.5                                                                1,749                                                                               38.5                                                                               28.9                                __________________________________________________________________________

Detection of callus degrading activity

A suspension of foot callus skin was prepared as follows and referred to as finely ground callus.

The foot callus was finely chopped in a glass Petri dish with a scalpel, ground in liquid nitrogen with a mortar and pestle, seived through a wire gauze (1 mm mesh size), homogenised in water using a Griffin homogeniser (TKW-300-050N, Gallenkamp), and centrifuged at 5000 g for 15 min.

The resulting pellet was freeze-dried, ground with a mortar and pestle, and the resulting finely ground callus was stored at -30° C.

Callus degrading activity was determined in fluid samples and in samples applied to an IEF analytical gel using the foot skin callus (described above) as a substrate. Callus-agarose was prepared as follows. A suspension of finely ground callus with an optical density at 700 nm of 0.6-0.7 was prepared in 0.2M sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.6). Ten ml of this suspension was heated to 60° C., mixed with an equal volume of molten (60° C.) 2% (w/v) agarose in the same buffer, poured into the lid of a 8.4×12.7 cm microtitre plate and allowed to set. Wells (2.5 mm diameter) were punched in the agarose and 5 μl of each test fluid was pipetted into the wells. The plates were incubated as for the proteolytic activity test. After incubation, callus degrading activity was indicated by a zone of clearing, best observed using a light-box with a dark background.

The position of a protein, which caused callus degradation on an IEF gel, was determined in a similar manner as that for proteolytic activity except that the casein-agarose gel was replaced by a callus-agarose gel and the plate was not flooded with TCA.

Quantitative Method

Additional methods were also used for the quantitative assay of callus degrading activity.

Callus-degrading activity was assayed as follows (specific details are described later in the text where appropriate).

A suspension of the finely ground callus (described above) with an optical density at 700 nm (OD₇₀₀) of 0.6-0.7 was prepared in a buffer containing 0.02% (w/v) sodium azide.

1 ml enzyme solution was added to 2 ml prewarmed callus suspension (at the required temperature) in a spectrophotometer cuvette. The OD₇₀₀ was recorded immediately and after 1 h incubation at the required temperature with stirring.

1 unit (U) of callus-degrading activity is defined as that which causes a reduction in OD₇₀₀ of 0.001 in 1 h.

The method is also disclosed in an article by K. T. Holland et al (6).

Isoelectric point (pI) of Protease 1 and Protease 2

The isoelectric point (pI) of Proteases 1 & 2 may be determined as follows:

Polyacrylamide IEF gels were prepared according to Winter et al. (5) except that 10 μl N-N-N-N-tetramethylethylenediamine was added to the degassed gel solution prior to pouring into the mould, and the carrier ampholyte mixture contained 2.76 ml Pharmalyte 2.5-5.0 and 0.24 ml Ampholine 5.0-8.0, Pharmalyte and Ampholine are commercially available from Pharmacia. The electrode solutions were 0.1M phosphoric acid (anode) and 0.1M sodium hydroxide (cathode).

Samples (20 μl) were applied using paper applicators and gels were run at 9 W constant power for 3 h. The gel was loaded with three sets of samples. After electrophoresis, the gel was cut into three equal sections so that each contained a full set of samples. One section was placed onto a casein-agarose gel for detection of proteolytic activity, one onto a callusagarose gel for detection of callus degrading activity, and the remaining section was fixed and stained for the detection of protein, as described in Winter et al. (5).

The position of each protease was determined by measuring the distance between the centre of a zone of clearing on the casein-agarose plate and the position of the anode. The pI of each protease was then determined using a calibration curve of gel pH (measured using a surface pH electrode) plotted against distance from the anode.

The pI of Protease 1 was 4.6 and the pI of Protease 2 was 2.7. Protease 1 and Protease 2 were both proteolytic and degraded callus.

Molecular weights of Protease 1 and Protease 2

The molecular weights of Protease 1 and Protease 2 may be determined as follows:

The denatured, reduced polypeptide molecular weights of Protease 1 and 2 were determined by SDS-PAGE according to the method of Laemmli (2). Samples (10 μl) were boiled for 2 minutes with 10 μl sample buffer containing 6% (w/v) SDS and 10% (v/v) mercaptoethanol. Eight μl of the boiled sample was loaded onto a 12% (w/v) polyacrylamide gel (0.075×5.5×8 cm) in a LKB Midget electrophoresis system and electrophoresed at 30 mA for 30 min.

The gel was fixed and silver stained with Gelcode (Pierce), according to the manufacturer's instructions.

The molecular weight of each protease was determined using a calibration curve of polypeptide position plotted against the molecular weight of known standard polypeptides.

The estimated molecular weights of Proteases 1 and 2 were 30.3 and 50.0 kDa, respectively.

The pH optima and ranges of activity of Protease 1 and Protease 2.

The pH optima and ranges of activity of Protease 1 and Protease 2 may be determined as follows, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which FIG. 1 shows the effect of pH on the activity of Protease 1, and FIG. 2 shows the effect of pH on the activity of Protease 2

Preliminary experiments using supernatant fluids from M. sedentarius cultures with mixtures of Protease 1 and Protease 2 in unknown ratios were carried out which had shown that maximum proteolytic activity was obtained at pH 10.0 in 0.15M sodium carbonate/sodium hydrogen carbonate buffer. The purified Proteases 1 and 2 were tested for activity in a range of 0.15M buffers at pH values form 5.1 to 11.4 using the protease assay described by Millet (3). The reaction mixture, comprising 1 ml enzyme solution and 4 ml of 2% (w/v) azocasein in buffer, was incubated at 35° C. for 2 h. The pH of each reaction mixture was determined after 2 h incubation at 35° C. At time zero and after 2 h incubation, 2 ml reaction mixture was added to 2 ml TCA (10%, w/v). After filtration through Whatman No. 1 filter paper, the concentration of TCA-soluble azo-peptides released by proteolytic activity was determined spectrophotometrically at 440 nm. Enzyme blanks were included. One unit of enzyme activity was defined as the amount which produced an increase in absorbance at 440 nm of 0.0001 in 1 h at 35° C. More generally, one unit of enzyme activity is defined as the amount which produces an increase in absorbance at 440 nm of 0.001 at 1 h (at the assay temperature). The results are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. Proteases 1 and 2 were detected in the range 5.1-10.9 and 5.1-11.3 respectively. Maximum activity was detected at pH 8.2 in 0.15M Tris-HCl buffer for Protease 1 and at pH 10.2 in 0.25M phosphate buffer for Protease 2.

Protease activity--optimum temperature

The optimum temperatures for assaying Proteases 1 and 2 were determined The quantitative assay method was used for assaying protease activity, with the modifications described below.

    ______________________________________                                         Protease 1 was assayed in 250 mM sodium phosphate buffer with                  pHs as follows:-                                                                      PH   Temperature                                                        ______________________________________                                                8.5  Room Temp.                                                                8.2  35° C.                                                             8.1  40° C.                                                      ______________________________________                                    

1.36 Protease Units were incubated in the assay system for 27 min at various temperatures. Protease 1 activity was detected from 20° to 60° C. with the optimum temperature at 40° C.

    ______________________________________                                         Protease 2 was assayed in 150 mM Tris-HCl with pHs as                          follows:-                                                                             pH   Temperature                                                        ______________________________________                                                10.75                                                                               Room Temp.                                                                10.2 35° C.                                                             9.9  46° C.                                                      ______________________________________                                    

4.1 Protease Units were incubated in the assay system for 9 min at various temperatures. Protease 2 activity was detected from 20° to 50° C. with the optimum temperature at 46° C. The results are illustrated in FIG. 3.

Callus degrading activity--optimum temperature

Preliminary experiments showed that Proteases 1 and 2 had highest callus-degrading activity at a pH of approximately 7.6. Therefore, the optimum temperatures for assaying callus-degrading activity of Protease 1 and Protease 2 were determined at pH 7.6 using the quantitative assay.

Protease 1 (3 Protease Units) was incubated in 150 mM sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.6) at various temperatures. Callus-degrading activity was detected from 20° to 65° C. The results are shown in FIG. 4.

Protease 2 (3 Protease units) was incubated in 150 mM sodium phosphate buffer (pH 7.6) at various temperatures. Callus-degrading activity was detected from 20° to 80° C. with the optimum at 50° C. The results are shown in FIG. 5.

Callus-degrading activity--optimum pH

The optimum pH for activity of Proteases 1 and 2 were determined at their optimum temperatures. the quantitative assay was used with 150 mM buffers, as indicated in FIGS. 6 and 7.

Protease 1 (4.5 Protease Units) was assayed at 40° C. Callus-degrading activity was detected from pH 5.9 to 8.0 with the optimum at pH 7.1 in Tris-HCl buffer. The results are shown in FIG. 6.

Protease 2 (59 Protease Units) was assayed at 50° C. Callus-degrading activity was detected from pH 4.3 to 10.0 with two peaks of activity at pH 4.9 and 7.5. The optimum activity was detected at 7.5 in Tris-HCl buffer containing 100 mM NaCl. The results are shown in FIG. 7.

All pH measurements for callus-degrading activity were determined at the temperature of the assay.

Further characterisation of Protease 1 and 2

The effect of cysteine on Protease activity

Protease 1 was incubated at a concentration of 1.2 Protease Units ml⁻¹ at 4° C. for 1 h, in the presence and absence of 100 mM cysteine, in 150 mM

Tris-HCl buffer (pH 8.5). The activity of Protease 1 after incubation with 100 mM cysteine was 106% that in the absence of cysteine.

Protease 2 was incubated at a concentration of 3.0 Protease Units ml⁻¹ at 4° C. for 1 h, in the presence and absence of 100 mM cysteine, in 250 mM sodium phosphate buffer (pH 10.75). The activity of Protease 2 after incubation with 100 mM cysteine was 105% that in the absence of cystein.

The effect of EDTA on Protease activity

Protease 1 was incubated at a concentration of 0.75 Protease Units ml⁻¹ at 4° C. for 1 h, in the presence and absence of 10 mM EDTA, in 150 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 8.5). The activity of Protease 1 after incubation with 10 mM EDTA was 34% that in the absence of EDTA.

Protease 2 was incubated at a concentration of 3.0 Protease Units ml⁻¹ at 4° C. for 1 h, in the presence and absence of 10 mM EDTA, in 250 mM sodium phosphate buffer (pH 10.75). The activity of Protease 2 after incubation with 10 mM EDTA was 17% that after incubation in the absence of EDTA.

The effect of PMSF on Protease activity

Protease 1 was incubated at a concentration of 1.2 Protease Units ml⁻¹ at 4° C. for 1 h, in the presence and absence of 5 mM PMSF (phenylmethyl sulfonyl fluoride) in 150 mM Tris-HCl) buffer (pH 8.5). The activity of Protease 1 after incubation in the presence of 5 mM PMSF was 0% that in the absence of PMSF.

Protease 2 was incubated at a concentration of 3.1. Protease Units ml⁻¹ at 4° C. for 1 h, in the presence and absence of 5 mM PMSF, in 250 mM sodium phosphate buffer (pH 10.75). The activity of Protease 2 after incubation in the presence of 5 mM PMSF was 58% that in the absence of PMSF.

Activity and stability of Proteases 1 and 2 in the presence of CaCl₂.

Activity

Protease 1 was incubated at a concentration of 1.2 Protease Units ml⁻¹ in 150 mM Tris-HCl buffer (pH 8.5) containing 0 and 10 mM CaCl₂. The effect of CaCl₂ on the activity of Protease 1 was determined by assaying protease activity immediately following the addition of CaCl₂ (t=0). The activity of Protease 1 in the presence of CaCl₂ was 129% that in the absence of CaCl₂.

Stability

To investigate the effect of CaCl₂ on the stability of Protease 1 protease activity was assayed after 1 h incubation at 37° C. with 10 mM CaCl₂. The activity of Protease 1 after incubation in the presence of CaCl₂ was 114% that at t=0 whereas after incubation in the absence of CaCl₂, the activity was 19% that at t=0.

10 mM CaCl₂, therefore, increased the activity and stability of Protease 1 at 37° C.

Protease 2

Due to the increased stability of Protease 2, it was necessary to incubate the enzyme at 60° C. to determine whether it would be stabilised by 10 mM CaCl₂.

Protease 2 was incubated at a concentration of 63 Protease Units ml⁻¹ in buffers, at various pH values, containing 0 and 10 mM CaCl₂ for up to 4 h. The buffers were as follows and the pHs were measured at room temperature:

    ______________________________________                                         pH                Buffer (30 mM)                                               ______________________________________                                         5                 Sodium acetate                                               6                 MES                                                          7-9               Tris-HCl                                                     ______________________________________                                    

Protease activity was determined immediately following addition of 10 mM CaCl₂ (t=0) and at various times thereafter. The results are shown in FIG. 8.

The presence of 1 mM CaCl₂ in the protease assay did not stimulate Protease 2 activity at pH 6 or 7 at t=0. Activity was stimulated by 1 mM CaCl₂ at pH 5 and 8, and slightly inhibited at pH 9 at t=0. In the absence of CaCl₂, Protease 2 appeared to have greatest stability at pH 8 (28% that at t=0). In the presence of CaCl₂, Protease 2 was stable at all pH values tested (5-9) and activity apparently increased between pH 6 and 9.

Stability of Proteases 1 and 2 at various temperatures

Proteases 1 and 2 were incubated in 30 mM buffers at various pHs and assayed for Protease activity at time intervals. The buffers were as follows, at room temperatures:

    ______________________________________                                         pH               Buffer                                                        ______________________________________                                         5.0              Sodium acetate                                                5.9              MES                                                           6.9-8.7          Tris-HCl                                                      9.8              Carbonate bicarbonate                                         10.7             Sodium phosphate.                                             ______________________________________                                    

All buffers contained 0.05% (w/v) sodium azide. Protease 1 was incubated at a concentration of 1.0 Protease Units ml⁻¹ and Protease 2 at 15.8 Protease Units ml⁻¹ in the storage buffers. 4° C.

Protease 1 The results are shown in FIG. 9. The stability of Protease 1 was greatly affected by pH. Approximately 80% of the original activity remained after 14 days at pH 5 and 6. At higher pHs, stability decreased with 5% of the original activity remaining after 14 days at pH 10.7.

Protease 2 The results are shown in FIG. 10. Protease 2 is more stable than Protease 1. The enzyme was most unstable at pHs below 7 or above 9 after 15 weeks. At pH 7, no loss in activity was detected after 15 weeks.

Ambient temperature

Protease 2 The results are shown in FIG. 11. Protease 1 is not very stable except at pH 6 where 40% of the original activity remained after 8 days.

Protease 2 The results are shown in FIG. 12. Protease 2 is more stable than Protease 1, with greatest stability being detected at pHs between 6 and 10, where 50% of the original activity remained after 7 days.

The effect of NaCl on the callus-degrading activities of

Protease 1 and Protease 2

Proteases 1 and 2 were assayed using the quantitative callus-degrading assays.

Protease 1 (4.5 Protease Units) was incubated at 40° C. in 150 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.1) containing different concentrations of NaCl (0-1.6M). The results are shown in FIG. 13. Maximum callus-degrading activity, 1.7-fold higher than with no NaCl, was detected at a concentration of 100 mM NaCl.

Protease 2 (88.2 Protease Units) was incubated at 50° C. in 150 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5) containing different concentrations of NaCl (0-1.6 m). The results are shown in FIG. 13. Maximum callus-degrading activity, 4.5-fold higher than with no NaCl, was detected at a concentration of 1.6M NaCl. The callus-degrading activity of Protease 2 is, therefore, more affected by NaCl or ionic strength than that of Protease 1.

The effect of ionic strength and various ions on callus-degrading activities of Proteases 1 and 2.

To determine whether ionic strength and or specific ions were stimulatory to callus-degrading activity, the effect of various compounds was investigated. The quantitative callus-degrading assay was used with assay buffers containing LiCl, NaCl, KCl, CsCl (ionic strength 0.1M), Na₂ SO₄, MgCl₂, CaCl₂ (ionic strength 0.3M) or no additional salts. The presence of 10 mM EDTA, which chelates divalent ions present in the callus substrate, was also investigated.

Protease 1 (3 Protease Units) was incubated at 40° C. in 150 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.1) containing the required compound. The results are shown in FIG. 14. The addition of monovalent ions (ionic strength 0.1M) had little effect on callus-degrading activity. At an ionic strength of 0.3M, the activity was increased and this was not dependent on any particular ionic species. Callus-degrading activity was decreased in the presence of 10 mM EDTA indicating that small quantities of divalent ions in the substrate increased Protease 1 activity.

Protease 2 (88.2 Protease Units) was incubated at 50° C. in 150 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5) containing the required compound. The results are shown in FIG. 15. The addition of monovalent ions (ionic strength 0.1M) greatly increased the callus-degrading activity with Na₂ SO₄ (ionic strength 0.3M), the activity was increased further. Higher activities were detected in the presence of MgCl₂ and CaCl₂ (ionic strength 0.3M). In the presence of 10 mM EDTA, no activity was detected.

Protease 2 is, therefore, affected to a greater extent than Protease 1 by the ionic strength of the environment and by divalent ions.

The effect of MgCl₂ on callus-degrading activities of Proteases 1 and 2

Proteases 1 and 2 callus-degrading activities were determined using the quantitative assays.

Protease 1 (4.5 Protease Units) was incubated at 40° C. in 150 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.1) containing different concentrations of MgCl₂ (0-35 mM). Protease 1 was also assayed in buffer containing 45 mM NaCl. The results are shown in FIG. 16. There was a slight increase in callus-degrading activity in the presence of 5 mM MgCl₂ compared to the control which contained no MgCl₂. The activity in the presence of 45 mM NaCl was equivalent to that at 15 mM MgCl₂ (data not shown).

Protease 2 (31.5 Protease Units) was incubated at 50° C. in 150 mM and Tris-HCl (pH 7.5) containing different concentrations of MgCl₂ (0-100 mM). Protease 2 was also assayed in buffer containing 60 mM NaCl. The results are shown in FIG. 17. The callus-degrading activity of Protease 2 increased with increasing concentrations of MgCl₂. The activity in the presence of MgCl₂ was 4.7-fold higher than that in NaCl at an equivalent ionic strength.

The callus-degrading activity of Protease 2 in contrast to that of Protease 1, is greatly stimulated by high ionic strengths and by MgCl₂.

Demonstration of Keratinase activity

Extraction of keratin from finely ground callus

Finely ground callus (0.4 g) was added to 25 ml extraction buffer which comprised 50 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.2), 6M urea and 2% (v/v) B-mercaptoethanol.

The suspension was homogenised using an Ultra-Turrax homogeniser (TP18/10, Janke & Kunkel) at full speed for 2 min, before and after stirring at 4° C. for 20 h.

The suspension was centrifuged at 50,000 g for 30 min at 4° C. and the resulting supernatant fluid was dialysed three times against 4 liters CASC buffer (0.1M sodium citrate adjusted to pH 2.65 with 0.1M citric acid) over a 24 hour period.

The dialysed fluid was centrifuged as previously and the supernatant fluid containing the keratin was transferred to a fresh centrifuge tube. The pH was adjusted to 4.0 with 1M NaOH and the resulting suspension was centrifuged at 4000 g for 2 min.

The keratin-containing pellet was resuspended in 1 ml CASC buffer and the pH was adjusted to 4.0 with 1M NaOH. The suspension was centrifuged (4000 g, 2 min) and the pellet resuspended in 1 ml CASC buffer.

The pH was adjusted to 4.0 and the suspension centrifuged (4000 g, 2 min). The pellet was resuspended in 1 ml CASC buffer and aliquots of the keratin solution were stored at -20° C.

The concentration of the keratin was approximately 7 mg ml⁻¹ according to dry weight determinations.

Keratin degradation by Proteases 1 and 2 and Crude Amicon retentate

NaOH (25 μl, 0.5M) and 50 μl Tris-HCl (0.3M, pH 8.0) were added to 50 μl keratin solution to adjust its pH to 8.

25 μl concentrated crude Amicon retentate (as obtained in the above process) or Protease 1 (2.4 Protease Units) were incubated with the adjusted keratin solution at 40° C. for 1.5 h.

Protease 2 (3.0 Protease Units) was diluted in 100 mM Tris-HCl (pH 8.0) from N to N/1024 (doubling dilutions). 25 μl of each dilution was incubated with the adjusted keratin solution at 48° C. for 10 min.

At the end of the incubation period, double strength SDS-PAGE loading buffer (150 μl) was added to each reaction mixture. The samples were boiled for 2 min and 2 μl of each sample was applied to an SDS-PAGE gel.

The results are shown in FIGS. 18a and 18b.

The high molecular mass keratin polypeptides (45-66 kDa) were degraded by Protease 1 and Protease 2 and by the enzymes in the crude Amicon retentate, as indicated by the presence of smaller degradation products (<36 kDa) after incubation with the enzymes.

This indicates that both Protease 1 and Protease 2 possess keratinase activity.

Demonstration of activity against other substrates

Chicken feathers

Chicken down feathers were rinsed three times in distilled water.

Crude Amicon retentate was freeze-dried and reconstituted in 150 mM sodium phosphate buffer (pH 8.0) containing 0.05% (w/v) sodium azide at a concentration of 100,000 Protease Units ml⁻¹, 200 μl of this was incubated with an intact down feather at 50° C. After 18 h, the barbs of the feather had detached from the shaft.

Collagenase activity

Agarose (0.3 g) was dissolved in 50 ml Tris-HCl buffer (pH 7.5, 150 mM) and cooled to 50° C. 1 ml volumes of agarose containing 3.5% (w/v) collagen were poured into 1.5×1.5 cm moulds and allowed to set.

Crude Amicon retentate (as obtained above) was freeze-dried and reconstituted in 150 ml Tris-HCl (pH 7.5), and 10 μl (514 Protease Units) was applied to the surface of the collagen gel. Control, comprising 150 mM Tris-HCl (pH 7.5) was applied to a second gel. The gels were incubated at 37° C.

After 4 days incubation with the enzyme, the collagen pieces appeared to be reduced in size compared to the control.

Protease-containing compositions of the present invention, and pharmaceutically acceptable formulations thereof, can be used as agents to degrade natural proteinaceous material especially for the purposes of treating medical conditions. Protease-containing compositions of the present invention, and pharmaceutically acceptable formulations thereof, have, as previously mentioned, the ability to degrade in vitro human callus obtained from the skin and can be used as degrading agents for treating corns and calluses, for example, on the feet in vivo. Preferably the compositions of the invention are in the form of pharmaceutical preparations for topical application such as solutions, creams, ointments, ointment sticks, gels, powders or adhesive plasters. Such topical compositions may contain other active ingredients such as antibiotics or fungicides, as well as, conventional additives for such compositions. The proteases of the present invention, and formulations thereof, can also be used in other applications where it is desired to degrade or digest proteinaceous material, modify proteinaceous raw materials or produce useful protein degradation products. These applications include for example: cleansing surfaces of proteinaceous material including contact lenses; cleansing textiles and the like; food processing; and de-hairing of animal hides.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described in detail, it is apparent that modifications and adaptations of those embodiments will occur to those skilled in the art. It is to be expressly understood, however, that such modifications and adaptations are within the scope of the present invention, as set forth in the following claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A process for the degradation of keratin comprising contacting keratin with an enzyme material isolated from a culture of Micrococcus sedentarius, which comprises one or more proteases having an ability to degrade keratin, said enzyme material having the following characteristics:water soluble, non-dialysable through a membrane having a molecular weight cut-off of 10 kDa, an isoelectric point of 4.6 or 2.7, a molecular weight of 30.3 kDa or 50 kDa, an optimum pH for protease activity at about 8.2 or at about 10.2, an optimum temperature for protease activity at about 40° C. or 46° C.
 2. The process of claim 1 wherein the Micrococcus sedentarius is Micrococcus sedentarius NCIMB
 40287. 3. The process of claim 1 wherein the enzyme material is applied in the form of a medicament.
 4. The process of claim 1 wherein the enzyme material is applied in the form of a medicament comprising a component selected from the group consisting of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient or diluent.
 5. The process of claim 1 wherein the enzyme material is applied topically.
 6. A process for the degradation of keratin comprising contacting keratin with a cell-free culture of Micrococcus sedentarius, which exhibits the ability to degrade keratin, said culture having an enzyme material with the following characteristics:water soluble, non-dialysable through a membrane having a molecular weight cut-off of 10 kDa, an isoelectric point of 4.6 or 2.7, a molecular weight of 30.3 kDa or 50 kDa, an optimum pH for protease activity at about 8.2 or at about 10.2, an optimum temperature for protease activity at about 40° C. or 46° C.
 7. A process for the degradation of collagen comprising contacting collagen with a cell culture of Micrococcus sedentarius, which exhibits the ability to degrade collagen, said cell culture having an enzyme material with the following characteristics:water soluble, non-dialysable through a membrane having a molecular weight cut-off of 10 kDa, an isoelectric point of 4.6 or 2.7, a molecular weight of 30.3 kDa or 50 kDa, an optimum pH for protease activity at about 8.2 or at about 10.2, an optimum temperature for protease activity at about 40° C. or 46° C.
 8. The process of claim 6 or 7 wherein the culture of Micrococcus sedentarius is Micrococcus sedentarius NCIMB
 40287. 9. The process of claim 6 or 7 wherein the cell-free culture is in the form of a medicament.
 10. The process of claim 6 or 7 wherein cell-free culture is applied in the form of a medicament comprising a component selected from the group consisting of a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier, excipient or diluent.
 11. The process of claim 6 or 7 wherein the cell-free culture is applied topically.
 12. A process for the preparation of degradation products from keratinaceous material comprising contacting said material with an enzyme material isolated from a culture of Micrococcus sedentarius, which comprises one or more proteases having an ability to degrade keratin, said enzyme material having the following characteristics:water soluble, non-dialysable through a membrane having a molecular weight cut-off of 10 kDa, an isoelectric point of 4.6 or 2.7, a molecular weight of 30.3 kDa or 50 kDa, an optimum pH for protease activity at about 8.2 or at about 10.2, an optimum temperature for protease activity at about 40° C. or 46° C.
 13. A process for the preparation of degradation products from collagenaceous material comprising contacting said material with an enzyme material isolated from a culture of Micrococcus sedentarius, which comprises one or more proteases having an ability to degrade collagen, said cell culture having the following characteristics:water soluble, non-dialysable through a membrane having a molecular weight cut-off of 10 kDa, an isoelectric point of 4.6 or 2.7, a molecular weight of 30.3 kDa or 50 kDa, an optimum pH for protease activity at about 8.2 or at about 10.2, an optimum temperature for protease activity at about 40° C. or 46° C. 